The Ligier JS7 was the second Formula One racing car made by Ligier. As with the preceding JS5, the letters "JS" were in tribute to Guy Ligier's friend Jo Schlesser who was killed in the 1968 French Grand Prix.

Ligier JS7
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLigier
Designer(s)Gérard Ducarouge (Technical Director)
Michel Beaujon (Chief Designer)
Robert Choulet (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorJS5
SuccessorJS9
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisAluminium monocoque
Axle trackFront: 1,536 mm (60.5 in)
Rear: 1,600 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase2,608 mm (102.7 in)
EngineMatra MS76, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 60° V12, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionHewland 2-200 TL 6-speed manual
Weight580 kg (1,280 lb)
FuelShell
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsLigier Gitanes
Notable driversFrance Jacques Laffite
France Jean-Pierre Jarier
Debut1977 Argentine Grand Prix
First win1977 Swedish Grand Prix
Last win1977 Swedish Grand Prix
Last event1978 Swedish Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
23120
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Aside from using the Matra V12 rather than the usual Ford Cosworth unit, the JS7 was a very conventional design with a Hewland six-speed transmission and a longitudinally mounted engine and wishbone suspension. The JS7 forwent the giant air intake of the preceding JS5.[2] The front wing design echoed that of the Ferrari 312T.

The JS7 competed in the 1977 Formula One season and the first two races of the 1978 season. An updated version, dubbed the JS7/9 was used for three races in 1978 until the definitive 1978 car, the JS9 was ready. Laffite's victory in the 1977 Swedish Grand Prix was the first all-French victory - chassis, engine and driver - in World Championship history.[3]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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(key)

Year Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
1977 JS7 Matra V12 G ARG BRA RSA USW ESP MON BEL SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA USA CAN JPN 18 8th
Jacques Laffite NC Ret Ret 9 7 7 Ret 1 8 6 Ret Ret 2 8 7 Ret 5
Jean-Pierre Jarier Ret
1978 JS7 Matra V12 G ARG BRA RSA USW MON BEL ESP SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA USA CAN 19* 6th
Jacques Laffite 16 9 5
JS7/9 5 5 7

* 13 points scored using the JS9.

References

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  1. ^ Ligier JS7 @ StatsF1
  2. ^ Thevenet, Jean-Paul, ed. (January 1977). "Nouveautés F1 1977" [F1 News 1977]. L'Automobile (in French) (367). Neuilly, France: Societé des Editions Techniques et Touristiques de France: 74.
  3. ^ Brown, Allen. "Ligier JS7 car-by-car histories". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 22 September 2017.